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Fast Fashion vs Slow Fashion

Article · June 2019

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 https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/author/s-aishwariya/368

Fast Fashion vs Slow Fashion

Dr. S. Aishwariya
Assistant Professor,
Department of Textiles and Clothing,
Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and
Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, India
aishu55@gmail.com

Abstract
Fast fashion consists of garments made at cheap quality, low price, mass
produced, machine made and are seen to end up in the landfills very soon. Slow
fashion in contrast is handmade, time consuming, uses the talent of artists, better
quality and highly priced. Slow fashion garments create an identity for the person in
this world. They are natural warm and comfortable over a period of washes.
Sustainable fashion is concerned with use of fibres from organic, recycled,
repurposed, upcycled materials. The selection is made by opting materials with less
chemicals, dyes, energy, less resource, less waste and minimal impact. Slow fashion
is the opposite of fast fashion that is trending in the last 20 years. This paper deals
with the face of both sides of fashion – the slow and fast.

Keywords: fashion, fast fashion, slow fashion, sustainability, textile waste, recycling

Introduction: Slow Fashion

Kate Fletcher, author of Sustainable Fashion and Textiles, has explained the
urge to shift towards a more sustainable fashion industry. The word was coined by
him followed by the Slow food movement that was a huge hit in the Food industry.
The main characteristic feature of slow fashion is that it is not produced in bulk (no
mass production). It is also done with emphasis on skills of the craftsman who works
inducing soul into their products. The products are locally sourced and made for
customers. Since products taken from nature, made in hand, quality checked at
every step makes the product costly. H&M is a popular brand which has developed
various sustainable measures. But on the other hand, every year approximately 12
tonnes of their products are burnt, in order to prevent the stock load in the company
that has not been sold that year. Fair labour, satisfying human needs, supporting
local business, eco-friendly supply chain, enhancing the quality of the community,
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giving true retail price, resourcefulness, clean and efficient production, meaning
fashion business, sustainable protocols in product development.

Slow fashion is ethical and serves as a bond between raw materials, labour
force and environment. The classic designs and traditional methods of making a
fabric and clothing is part of slow fashion. Slow movement or slow fashion is not
seasonal. It does not work like a trend. But takes time in preparation and production,
and has purpose with intension. This holistic approach considers the complete Life
Cycle of the product. It products in slow fashion are not disposals and products with
short life span. They are sustainable and targeted to serve a long period. They are
often available in small stores and not by large enterprise and has limited collections
every year.

The choice to buy things

that are of better quality, mostly
natural, organic, limited edition and
bio-degradable. It is a result of
awareness caused by the harmful
effects of fast fashion. The focal
point of slow fashion is
sustainability. The benefits are
good quality products with clean
environment and fair policies for
consumers and producers. Slow
fashion concept is placing quality
over quantity. Carbon footprints
are higher in fast fashion. Quality
and longevity encourage slow
production, fair wages and zero
waste. It takes time to ensure
quality, value to production,
connects with environment. Reformation, Armour Vert, Everlane, Cryana are some
of the sustainable fashion brands.
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Ethical Fashion is a popular term in slow fashion. This is associated with

animal and human rights. Working conditions, fair wages, child labour, animal testing
are some of the parameters to be analysed in ethical fashion. Eco-fashion is another
concept which is lasting fashion are some of the terms commonly associated with
the topic.

Process of slow fashion

It begins with designing. This is done

with sustainability, ecological concerns,
green thoughts defined and raw materials
sourced based on this objective. The second
step of production process in which quality
of labour life, fair wages and quality of life
maintained. Education on the quality,
insisting on recycling and reuse. Slow
fashion is expressed as a philosophy
through which a consumer is questioned on
how we buy, wear and care for the clothes
one buy. It is not trend drive but based on environmental and ethical concern. The
procedures are transparent and the consumers know who made the clothes, how it
is paid, if the labour has been paid right. The products from slow fashion gives a
sense of belongingness and nativity. The aura can be seen around the person. A
soul inside the fabric can be felt which is the energy, love, craftmanship of the
designer. Slow fashion usually involves 3 thoughtful steps,

• Design : Sustainable sources, ecological and ethical practice

• Production : Quality and craftmanship
• Consumption : Longevity, sustainable investments,

Slow fashion brands

• & Other Stories: is a brand that works on instore recycling. A 10% voucher is
given when the consumer gives a used clothing or empty beauty containers.
• Reformation: Refscale developed by the brand in US, showcase the amount of
waste saved by buying their product.
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• Everlane: produces products with good quality that will last for a lifetime. It tells
the consumer on every aspect of production with radial transparency. Good
factory, happy labor and quality are three dimensions in everlane.
• Los Angeles Apparel: In addition to use the local civilians from L.A for this
brand and paying good wages, they make garments from organic and recycled
cotton.
• Matt & Nat: manufactures handbags and belts. The interlining is given by
recycled bottles. One bag uses 21 bottles. Additionally, rubber and cork are also
used.
• People Trees: Uses natural fibres, bio-degradable materials and local
craftmanship. They promote with the greatness of their product through the
artisians skill that makes it so commendable.
• Cariuma: It uses canvas, raw rubber, leather to create footwear (sneakers).

Fast Fashion Vs Slow Fashion: The difference between the two is explained in the
table here.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAST AND SLOW FASHION

Category Fast Fashion Slow Fashion
Scope of the Turnover $ 1.44 trillion dollars Small business firms
industry annually
Raw materials Petroleum based materials Locally sourced, bio-degradable,
organic, natural dyes and natural
materials. It also includes
recycled, repurposed, upcycled
materials.
Manufacturing Cause environmental It uses less harmful ingredients
implications during production and employs eco-friendly
traditional methods of production
Protocols Modern and unethical Less harm to the environment as
involved methods it involves conventional methods
Production New styles every 2 week and Low volume, handmade, made-
more than 10 seasons in a on-order and available in limited
year edition
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Presence of Large amounts of Organic materials and safe eco-

toxins carcinogens friendly materials for
manufacturing
Cost & Quality Cheap and low quality Expensive and lasts long
Labours Involves factory or workshop Uses people from local or nearby
which uses workers in low area. Serves as a means of
wages, poor working providing livelihood
condition and long working
hours
Morale/ ethics Poor working conditions, low Small industry with good profit
standards in working place and fair wages.
Sustainability It is not possible to create Made in small quantity with high
eco-friendly product as it quality, with motto to live with
involves chemicals nature and not against it
Brands H&M, Zara, C&A, Peacocks, Reformation, Amour Vert, Eileen
Primark, Xcel Brands, and Fisher, Alternative Apparel,
Topshop Everlane, Re/done, Stella
McCartney, Cuyana,

Conclusion
Fast fashion is a term used by retailers and designers when the product seen
on a renowned brand or on ramp is recreated with cheaper quality and lowest price
range for mass market. In contrast, Slow fashion is designing garments with quality
and longevity. It motivates slow production, good wages for the workers, zero
wastage and low carbon footprints. Creating awareness about the craftmanship in
the product and transparency in method of manufacturing slow fashion is the story of
a well-made garment. The paper has provided information about fast and slow
fashion, so that one can make sustainable alternatives before it is too late.

References
1. https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/industries/retail/our%20insights/me
asuring%20the%20fashion%20world/measuring-the-fashion-world-full-
report.ashx
2. https://www.sustainyourstyle.org/old-environmental-impacts
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3. https://thegreenhubonline.com/2018/01/16/20-facts-about-the-fast-fashion-
industry-that-will-shock-you/
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_fashion
5. https://dbknews.com/2019/08/13/fast-fashion-sustainability-recycling-employee-
care/
6. https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-47292087
7. https://www.coursehero.com/file/39011757/Zarappt/
8. https://goodonyou.eco/what-is-fast-fashion/
9. http://study-ny.com/slow-fashion
10. https://www.trustedclothes.com/blog/2016/05/17/slow-fashion-vs-fast-fashion/
11. https://www.channelone.com/interact_post/infographic-the-fast-facts-on-fast-
fashion/
12. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2019/633143/EPRS_BRI(2
019)633143_EN.pdf
13. https://www.fastcompany.com/3055925/5-new-solutions-for-the-fashion-
industrys-sustainability-problem

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